The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Speaking of Zheng Jiao, she's the one in the most awkward position right now.

She received unconditional love and care from her father and mother. Even when her true identity was exposed, she never wavered or hesitated. But at this moment, she suddenly felt a little ashamed.

just like……

It was as if she had taken something that rightfully belonged to Zheng Xun.

Zheng Jin sighed and poured a cup of tea for the Empress.

The Empress cleared her throat: "Xun'er, it is your mother who has wronged you."

Zheng Xun's eyelashes trembled slightly, a touch of emotion lingering, but not much, for the little girl who had so longed for her elders and siblings had long since died behind those high walls.

Like a flower falling from a branch, it quietly lands on a night when no one cares, remaining unknown from beginning to end.

She gently shook her head: "It's none of your business."

The one who should really apologize is the emperor, but as a member of the royal family, the emperor had too many children and too many things to pay attention to.

He was a wise ruler who rarely even spent time in the inner palace, let alone paying attention to a young daughter who was out of favor and had no birth mother.

He was a wise ruler, but not a benevolent father.

The Empress is doing quite well, but unfortunately, due to the machinations of villains, this illness is man-made and cannot be cured.

Zheng Xun looked at the trumpet creeper flowers displayed in Fengyi Palace.

"If Mother really feels sorry, then please help Xun'er remove those trumpet creeper flowers. I don't like them."

The Empress paused, trying to control her trembling hands.

Is that so?

She can still be saved... So, what caused her weakness was the trumpet creeper?

Zheng Jin feigned regret and sighed, "The trumpet creeper flowers are blooming so beautifully, it's a bit of a waste to uproot them, these are the Empress Dowager's favorite flowers."

The flowers are beautiful, but unfortunately they are not suitable for the Empress's constitution. Every time the trumpet creeper blooms, the Empress's condition worsens. Has no one noticed?

Zheng Jiao suddenly stood up and left the main hall in a hurry: "I'm going to instruct them to handle this now."

Not long after, palace servants came and took away the trumpet creeper flowers from the palace.

The Empress smiled gently.

Both of her daughters are good.

At this moment, a maid came in and whispered something in the Empress's ear. The Empress looked at the Emperor and said, "The time has come."

Zheng Jiao returned at this moment: "Has it started?"

Zheng Xun was completely bewildered.

What started?

"Let's go." The emperor stood up.

The group got up and walked out of the hall.

Seeing that Zheng Xun hadn't moved, Zheng Jiao stopped and urged, "Let's go!"

Zheng Xun hurried to catch up. She had her hair tied in two buns, with beads jingling on her temples, making her look exceptionally lively and adorable.

Zheng Jiao couldn't resist reaching out and pinching her hair bun.

Zheng Xun looked up in confusion.

Zheng Jiao coughed lightly: "I'm taking you to see a show, hurry up and follow me."

The three little girls followed the two powerful figures in the palace through the Imperial Garden, but they strayed further and further off course.

Finally, they arrived at a very secluded courtyard.

The area is overgrown with weeds, and there is only one narrow path leading into the yard.

This usually deserted place was now teeming with women.

The concubines lowered their voices and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"No gift."

Zheng Xun stood behind the emperor, marveling at the sight.

The emperor is truly blessed with good fortune; look at all these beauties, they've brought a touch of brightness to this desolate place.

The concubines who heard her heartfelt words all smiled broadly.

emperor:……

He coughed lightly and asked, "Is he inside?"

Everyone looked at each other, and for a moment no one dared to step forward and answer.

Consort Xian slightly curtsied and bowed her head, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."

The emperor kicked open the courtyard gate and then strode quickly toward the back garden.

The Empress nodded to the people in the harem: "Keep your voices down and don't make a commotion."

[There's some juicy gossip!] Zheng Xun quickly followed.

A group of concubines, who usually took small, quick steps, were all chasing after the emperor, lifting their skirts.

In the backyard of this dilapidated courtyard stands an old tree with a gnarled trunk and lush foliage, which thrives exceptionally well, even in this season.

Under the tree, a man and a woman nestled together, dappled sunlight falling on their hair and bodies, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty.

They were oblivious to their surroundings, completely unaware that a group of people had appeared in the distance.

Zheng Xun secretly observed the emperor's expression.

The emperor remained expressionless and raised his hand to clap his hands.

Xia Jieyu and Jize trembled in fright, and when they turned around and saw the emperor and the group of people behind him, everything went black.

Xia Jieyu had only two words in her mind—it's over.

The emperor stepped forward and slowly walked to Xia Jieyu and Jize: "You two are a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman!"

That was such a hurtful remark that someone couldn't help but burst out laughing.

But at this moment, no one cared about her rudeness.

Xia Jieyu's face went blank. The laughter pulled her back to reality, and she and Jize knelt down on the ground with a thud: "Your Majesty, spare us! Your Majesty and Zelang are truly in love!"

other people:? ? ?

The emperor asked expressionlessly, "Who is he?"

Xia Jieyu glanced at the person beside her with tender affection: "He is my beloved Ze Lang."

Ji Ze bowed deeply, his voice filled with remorse: "Your Majesty, I deserve to die ten thousand times!"

The emperor sneered, "Ha."

It’s hopeless, let’s destroy it.

The emperor was in a state of utter dismay and ordered his men to tie the two of them up.

The Empress considerately took over the questioning: "Xia Wan, I ask you, you knew that Jize was from the He Kingdom, yet you still helped him conceal his identity. Do you know you were wrong?"

The other concubines suddenly realized why they had been gathered together to watch the play—it was a warning to others!

Jize, whose fear had always been superficial, finally revealed his genuine anxiety.

Xia Jieyu blinked in confusion: "So what?"

【What a convenient "So what!" Xia Wan has absolutely no idea how serious the situation is!】

Xia Jieyu's inexplicable pride returned. No longer feeling guilty, she argued confidently, "So what if Zelang is from the Brown Kingdom? Our friendship will never waver because of that! I don't care about his identity!"

The Empress scolded her with exasperation, "Stubborn fool! Do you even remember that you are first and foremost a citizen of the Great Yong Kingdom?! Helping the traitors of the He Kingdom is like stabbing your own people in the back!"

If she truly knew right from wrong, she wouldn't have been fooled by Jize's sweet words.

What kind of good person is someone who conspires with their lover to trick their sister into marriage and steal her man?

Trying to reason with her is a waste of time; it's better to interrogate Jize first.

“Take Jize away, and demote Xia Jieyu to commoner status, temporarily confining her to Lefu Palace.”

Xia Jieyu crawled on her knees to the emperor, pleading tearfully, "Your Majesty, I know I deserve to die. Please, with your great mercy, forgive Zelang this once!"

She was beautiful when she was born, and she looked beautiful even when she cried. Her tears streamed down her cheeks, like pear blossoms touched by a light rain, making her look exceptionally pitiful.

Once she got into the mood, she was almost moved by her own deep emotions, but the others remained unmoved and even found her a bit funny.

Consort Shu flicked her handkerchief, leaned against Consort De, and whispered in her ear, "How come I never realized Xia Wan was so stupid before?"

Consort De pulled her aside: "Stand up straight and don't speak."

Consort Shu pouted and reluctantly shut her mouth.